Write Winning Grant Proposals Seminar
Presenter: John D. Robertson, PhD
Managing Member & Owner: Grant Writers' Seminars & Workshops (GWSW)
The Research Development Office in the Office of the Vice President for Research is pleased to partner with Dr. John Robertson from Grant Writer's Seminars & Workshops (GWSW) to conduct the Write Winning Grant Proposals Seminar.
Click here to view the seminar's webpage.
Event Information
The seminar will take place on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU). In-person and virtual options are available.
Click here to view the event agenda.
The Write Winning Grant Proposals seminar is the cornerstone of GWSW's seminar programs. It comprehensively addresses both practical and conceptual aspects that are important to writing competitive grant proposals. It is appropriate for faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, and administrative staff who have had some exposure to writing grant applications, either through training/mentoring or personal experience. Each presentation is tailored to meet the needs of the audience, e.g., to focus on the funding agency or agencies (federal, private, and/or industry) that is/are of greatest interest to the attendees. Emphasis is given to doing the “extra” things that can make the difference between success and failure.
At the University of Iowa, the main focus of previous seminars has been on the NIH and NSF; however, regardless of the agency, participants are taught to write with a linear progression of logic, which leads reviewers through an application without them knowing that they are being led. Coping strategies to overcome the fact that applicants are writing for two different audiences — the assigned reviewers, who read the application in its entirety, and non-assigned reviewers who may have read little, or nothing, of the proposal before the meeting of the review panel — are emphasized. The seminar is in a lecture format.
Registration Details
Registration deadline: Wednesday, September 30 at 11:59pm
Cost: $200 (includes seminar, workbook, supplemental materials, and lunch)
Eligibility: Open to faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, and administrative staff who have had some exposure to writing grant applications through training, mentoring, or personal experience
Sponsored seats: Some colleges provide a limited number of sponsored spots on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sponsoring College - Eligibility
College of Business – Faculty
College of Dentistry – Faculty
College of Education – Faculty
College of Engineering – Faculty
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Tenure-track Faculty; Postdoctoral Scholars (limited basis)
College of Medicine – Faculty
College of Nursing – Faculty
College of Pharmacy – Faculty
College of Public Health – Faculty; Postdoctoral Scholars; Staff who assist with grant writingGraduate College – Faculty
How to register and pay: Registration will be completed through a Workflow form. Participants must enter a valid MFK, unless you have a sponsored seat. If a sponsored seat is selected, an MFK is not required.
Workbook selection: Select a workbook version within the registration form.
For those attending virtually, workbooks will be campus-mailed. Provide a complete and accurate University of Iowa campus mailing address in the registration form.
Please note: Workbooks will be campus mailed to registrants attending virtually so be sure to provide a complete and clear UI campus address where indicated in the registration form.
Register here by Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Questions?
Please email vpr-rdo@uiowa.edu with any questions. The RDO will share a calendar invitation after workflow routing is complete.